Reels....do you stick with one brand?

[bigjean663]

Pretty simple here, just curious to see how many people out there stick to one brand exclusively and if it’s by choice or another reason such as a sponsorship. Not comparing popularity of companies or anything it’s more just me trying to settle an argument with my brain. 

[A-Jay]

May see a wide array of responses to this one; including plenty from the fan boys.

 I have been using Shimano spinning & round casting reels and Quantum for my low profile casting reel needs for the last several years. 

A-Jay 

[FishTank]

Nope.  I like certain brands but I own rods from G. Loomis, St. Croix, Shimano (before they purchased Loomis), Fenwick, Abu Garcia, Daiwa and All Star.  Reels from Shimano, Daiwa, and Abu Garcia.

[Joshua van Wyk]

I have 2 daiwa reels and 1 shimano. My dad uses only shimanos. I have 2 dobyns rods and one Abu.

[Glaucus]

I'm a weird case probably. For spinning gear I'm truly a Fenwick rod and Pflueger reel fanboy. For casting gear there are several companies I like and my choices come down to whoever has the exact specs in the exact price ranges that I'm looking for. 

[RB 77]

Yes. I use Shimano and Shimano only. I have tried all the major brands (Daiwa, Abu, Quantum, Lews, etc.) and IMHO Shimano is the best of the bunch for various reasons. I do believe Daiwa makes a comparable product; they are just not my cup o' tea. More specially, I use the "E" series primarily. I have been "hoarding" various E series reels throughout the years. I have used all the different Curado variations for several years and the E series just has that certain "it” factor to them.

[CroakHunter]

I am a big fan of Daiwa. Especially the ct style reels. Its all I own. But don't have a problem with shimano reels either. Just not my favorite. 

[MN Fisher]

Given the number of years my Abu Garcias have given me (my old Mitchell 320 lasted 25 years of hard use, my Cardinal 562 is over 30 years old and my Ambassadeur 500R is over 20) I'd have to say that Garcia is one of my two brands.

 

My Pflueger 640 has also given me over 30 years of use, so Pflueger is my second favorite brand.

 

This past year, added a Pflueger Trion spinning reel and a Garcia Avocet spinning reel to my 'hoard'.

[bigjean663]

57 minutes ago, A-Jay said:

May see a wide array of responses to this one; including plenty from the fan boys.

 I have been using Shimano spinning & round casting reels and Quantum for my low profile casting reel needs for the last several years. 

A-Jay 

Hey A-Jay yeah I kinda expected it to be a whole lot of favorites mostly of the top brands. I was really curious to see if there were members on here who were loyal to one brand. Most of the time when someone is loyal to one particular brand of whatever it is, there’s a good reason. A lot of the time those reasons are pretty good reads lol

[A-Jay]

22 minutes ago, bigjean663 said:

Hey A-Jay yeah I kinda expected it to be a whole lot of favorites mostly of the top brands. I was really curious to see if there were members on here who were loyal to one brand. Most of the time when someone is loyal to one particular brand of whatever it is, there’s a good reason. A lot of the time those reasons are pretty good reads lol

 Clearly ~

 And I am definitely loyal to gear that performs on the water with Quality, Dependability & Durability. 

I've fished tackle that did not offer that for me (none that I mentioned) and so I moved on.

A-Jay

 

[bigjean663]

1 minute ago, A-Jay said:

 Clearly ~

 And I am definitely loyal to gear that performs on the water with Quality, Dependability & Durability. 

I've fished tackle that did not offer that for me (none that I mentioned) and so I moved on.

A-Jay

 

Makes perfect sense

[NittyGrittyBoy]

Lew's, Abu, Duckett, Dobyns, unmentionable brand. I'm not brand loyal at all. 

 

If it fits my need and is within my price range, I'm using it.

[Big Rick]

Daiwa Tatula - because of the SV spool that totally changed my ability to skip and cast lighter baits with much more accuracy. 

 

Lew Tourney Pros - because I seldom fish alone and co-anglers that need an extra can't hurt them. They're built like a tank and cast reasonably well. 

 

Shimano Curado K - because it's the smoothest reel for the money I have ever held in my hand. 

 

Technological advances in reels is almost as wild and fast as computer technology.  You barely get a reel broken in and the next best thing has come out and all the pros are gaga over it. However, these 3 I listed have proven themselves to me to be real and not hype. 

[Jig Man]

I only use Shimano.  I carry 18 bc and spinning setups in the boat.

[Gundog]

For me price matters more than brand. I try to get the best bang for my buck. Sometimes that doesn't happen but occasionally I find the best combination of quality and price. Brand never comes into play. I don't even consider it.  

[Matt_3479]

I have had in the past year 5-6 different brands of rods and 3 different brands of reels but I’m slowly starting to find what I like more then others. Shimano reels are by far the best for me! But for rods I’m mainly a loomis guy, but there’s a few other Brands so far I’ve been pretty fond of!

[NYWayfarer]

I have bought and used reels from all the big and small brands. Over the years I have had my favorite brands shift.

 

Over the past two years all the reels I have bought have been from Lew’s and Kastking.

 

I really like Lew’s products and my mission this year is to upgrade all my budget gear with Lew’s reels in the $100+ range. I have a good start with the Mach Crush reels (spinning and casting) Tournament MB, LFS and the Tournament Speed Spin. That should get me through 2019 and beyond.

[Way north bass guy]

My rod locker looks like a tackle store through up in it, it’s about every brand of rod and reel has been and is in there. If it works well, I don’t care what name is on the side of it. But I am definitely over the “budget” equipment, I’m not buying the most expensive rods and reels ever made but I’m also not buying any more entry level stuff, I know it works but it seems the cheaper stuff is either rougher to use ( reels), or much heavier than the more expensive stuff ( rods).

[deadadrift89]

I've got several Shimano, Abu, Lews, Quantum, Pflueger. I figure if you don't try different brands how will you know. Same with rods

[NHBull]

Shimano has treated me well and that is all I have.

[Jelvas]

 Nope! I have reels from Shimano, Daiwa, Abu and Lews at the moment...  i do like my Shimanos better, but i will buy other brands if i get a better deal on them.

[tander]

I have all Lews casting reels and all Pflueger spinning reels. In fact, all my Lews are the same model just different gear ratios.

[Mobasser]

ABU round casting, Shimano spinning is what I've used for years, but there are many good brands now.

[CrankFate]

I usually use Shimano, Daiwa & abu, but I have others, even weird stuff like JDM Ryobi reels someone gave me.

[GeekOutdoors]

I use to have only Shimano reels. I now prefer to go with the best tool that fits the budget. I own Shimano, Pflueger, Kastking, Piscifun and Johncoo and (Okuma fly) reels. For rods, my first choice been Fenwick for a few years now unless they dont produce what I need. I own Fenwicks, St.Croix, Quantum, Rapala, (Reddington, TFO and Amundson fly)

 

I only miss 1 spinning rod in my arsenal and may replace the frog rod with a longer one.